The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-10-20
THE WIDOWS REVENGE

HE NuUN y III ENUL.
4 Tale Of Adventure in the Galtee
Mountains.
In the early part OF the year 1867 was |
travelling on business in the south OF Ire |
land, and one evening found myself in .
small town on the borders Of the counties
OF Cork and Tipperary. The country was
Just then very unsettled, the trading classes
uneasy, the widest rumors being afoat re-
specting the impending Fenian insurrec-
ton. The telegraph wires between Dublin
and the south were cut: the insurgents
were in possession of Cork and Limerick;
shiploads Of men were on their way from
England and America to aid the rebels
such were some of the canards that spread
alarm through the district in which / then
was.
believed only q small portion OF these
reports. but enough to make me uncom-
Portable; and I determined to return to En-
gland at once There was no vehicle to be
obtained. police officials aud newspaper
correspondents having hired them all; but
rs my host promised to send on my luggage
in day or two, did not hesitate to face on
foot the distance between my inn and the
nearest railway station, which, by cut
across the hills, / was assured, was only
four miles away. set of. then, on the
morning Of, think, the 9Th OF March. The
sky was overcast, and keen east wind
made my ears and cheeks Jingle. The half
clad gossoon who served me as guide Tor .
part OF the way trotted at my side, his
hands thrust into his pockets, his neck and
bosom bare, his trousers admitting the air
BY q score OF rents. He had quite budget
Of intelligence about the "boys,' as the
Fenians were popularity designated, and
dwelt with pride on the fact that he knew
many Of them. Were they dangerous
20 nor he replied, laughing at the Ques-
tion .'Tis only polls an sojers they'd
shoot; they won't harm any one else"
With this grain of consolation, parted
from my guide at the foot Of the Galtee
Mountains, and climbed the narrow path
way which he called road Little round
stones slipped and rolled beneath my feet;
in some places the path passed by the brink
Of depths where fall would certainly be
fatal; in others, it crossed the side Of steep
slopes where it was difficult to maintain an
erect position. At length reached the top,
and congratulated myself on having &C
complshed the most difficult part Of my
journey.
Far below, the path could be seen wind
ing like gray thread. As my guide said,
could not miss it. Snow now began to
fall, slowly. softly, silently, shutting out the
plain, and gradually narrowing my horizon,
until / could only see few yards around
me. The path was soon obliterated, and
the ground became slippery. However
feeling sure that l knew the general
direction OF the road, went forward conf
IDENTIFY. But it gradually dawned upon me
that / had lost my way, and ! looked
anxiously round for some sign OF human
life.
Wandered on for some time, now plung
ing into pit filed with snow, now stumb
ling over some hidden stone, aud at length
when almost exhausted, reached cabin
where resolved to seek shelter. Standing
near the head Of . steep glen, the house
rested against the side OF cliff, which
sheltered it, while helping to support the
wooden roof. Though the cottage was
diminutive, it looked clean in its fresh Goa
OF whitewash; and a slender column o.
smoke suggested warmth and food.
In reply to my knock, woman OF abou
fifty opened the door and bade me enter
She was tall, with good features, and an
air almost OF refinement. Her black car
and dress were fresh and neat; her manner
was reserved. though kindly, and the house
was as clean as such dwelling could be
But in the damp carthen floor and walls, IL
the meager furniture and the woman's
deeply lined face, there was evidencr o.
poverty and care. told her my story, ant
begged permission to rest for awhile.
.An' welcome, sir.'' she said, drawing 4
the fire q rush bottomed chair and desirin:
me to be seated. 81 am sorry, sir, that
have little to offer you to ate, but"
FASTENED to assure her that was wei
supplied; and emp,ying my haversack OF
the table, showed that dearth Of food wa
not likely to cause me anxiety. 1t turne
out that was only three miles from tn
railway station, to which good road led
and my mind being relieved on this poin,
proceeded to make myself comfortable
We talked Of the instruction, and she wa
defeat as certain.
Thin you don't think the boys will wiz
sir!n
Impossible / exclaimed. 'They ar
madmen to attempt it."
Il suppose you're right, sir" she sighet
'sThis is the second risin' I've seen-m
poor husband was out in '4S-an' no goo
can come Of 'um. Poor lads, to thro
away their lives so foolishly. What
that!" she asked suddenly; and seein
her strain her ears, / too listened, an
heard dull tramp and the confused sour
Of many voices. My hostess sprang u
filled with animation, and FASTENED to Il
door, saying: "'Tis some o. the boysr'
About q score OF men were scaling Il
height before the cabin; and when the
neared the woman, she addressed them
Irish: "How goes the cause!"
BADLY, missus," one OF the foremost I
piled. 1.-THE game is up, an l daresay Il
sojers Is at our heels"
The party advanced stragglingly, and e
tered the house without ceremony. All a
peared to be of the humber classes-sms
farmers, laborers, artisans-and were I'm
erably armed. There were few revolve
and rifles among them; but old muske
swords, even scythes tied to stats form
the bulk OF their weapons. Their lead
wore red sash and swordbelt outside
green uniform, and above his hat a lar
plume waved. He was handsome soldi'
like man, and seemed worthy Of bett
command. In the rear, one OF their numt
Jas borne on hurdles.
When the men saw me they stopped, a
questioned the hostess suspiciously. Aft
WORDS SuMceu W ShtiSIy tucu, anu III
proceeded TO make themselves at home.
heap OF peat that stood beside the hear
was thrown upon the fire, and brig
blaze soon danced in the chimney, and
up tho forms Of the men, 7'ho. crowded
closely as possible, sat or lay around :
fire. The woman OF the house was activi
itself. She filled large pot with potatot
and set them to cook, afterwards spreadll
- = NOhl~ hor little efnrn nf eat 4 bieS. TIL